Marking apparatus



April 1959 M. HIRSCHEY 2,880,669

MARKING APPARATUS I 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 1. 1955 g1 INVENTOR. k ff/ucoxn A Msewm 8 3 a If amvzy April 1959 M. HIRSCHEY 2 ,880,669

MARKING APPARATUS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 1, 1955 I INVENTOR. Macaw HIKSC'l/E) veyed articles, following the completion United States Patent 2,880,669 MARKING APPARATUS Malcolm Hirschey, Woodside, N.Y., assignor to Adolph gothscho, Inc., Hillside, N.J., a corporation of New Application September 1, 1955, Serial No. 531,949 17 Claims. (Cl. 101-35) The present invention relates generally to marking apparatus, and more particularly is directed to apparatus adapted for marking a side surface and the trailing end surface of each of a series of articles, for example, boxes, cartons and the like, which are successively conveyed past the marking apparatus.

Heretofore, various types of apparatus have been proposed for the purpose of marking the side surfaces and trailing end surfaces of articles of the kind mentioned above, as such articles are successively conveyed pastthe apparatus. In such existing apparatus, the forces required for moving the marking element into and out of contact with the successive articles are exerted by the articles themselves against actuating members of the apparatus. The actuation of the marking apparatus by the successive conveyed articles to be marked can be disadvantageous in the following respects: the force required to be exerted by the article against the actuating member or members of the marking apparatus may result in denting or other damage to the article, particularly where the latter is formed of a fragile or easily crushed material; the mechanical arrangement necessary for actuation by the article usually produces a path of travel for the marking element, which, under certain circumstances, can result in imperfect marking of the trailing end surfaces of the articles; and, the speed at which the marking element is withdrawn from the path of travel of theconof the marking of the trailing end surface of an article, is limited or determined by the speed at which the successive articles are conveyed, so that the existing apparatus generally requires a relatively large spacing between the successive conveyed articles in order to avoid jamming of the marking element between successive articles.

Accordingly, it 1s an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for applying markings to the side surfaces and trailing end surfaces of successive 3 articles conveyed past the apparatus, and wherein the actuation of the apparatus is controlled by the successive articles, but the forces required for such actuation are exerted by motor means, preferably, electromagnetic in character, so that the forces marking apparatus and the speeds at which the actuating movements of the apparatus can be accomplished are independent respectively of the forces exerted by the articles in controlling the apparatus and the speeds at which the successive articles are conveyed.

Another object is to provide marking apparatus of the described character wherein the movement of the marking element, particularly when in contact with the trailing end surface of a conveyed article, is most suitable for exerted in actuating the i achieving the accurate and clear marking of such trailing end surface.

Still another object is to provide marking apparatus of the described character which is arranged so as to positively prevent jamming of the marking element between ble of limited swinging about a support axle,

.on the slidable ram out of 'veyed articles.

gizing the solenoid 2,880,669 Patented Apr. 7, 1959 successive conveyed articles, even when such articles are disposed close together on the related conveyor.

A further object is to provide marking apparatus of the described character wherein the locations of the markings applied to the successive conveyed articles can be adjusted or varied both vertically and in the direction along the surface to which markings are applied.

A still further object of the invention is to provide marking apparatus actuated electro-magnetically under the control of the successive conveyed articles to be marked, and wherein provision is made for absorbing or cushioning the shocks or impacts resulting from such electromagnetic actuation.

In accordance with one embodiment of this invention, the foregoing objects are achieved by providing a marking apparatus comprising a vertically adjustable support plate mounted adjacent one side of a conveyor carrying the successive articles to be marked. A marking wheel is rotatably mounted at one end of a ram which is slidably supported on the support plate for movement longitudinally along a generally rectilinear path inclined toward the path of travel of the conveyed articles in the direction of movement of such articles so that the paths of movement of the conveyed articles and of the slidable ram, respectively, enclose an acute angle. An arm pivoted, at one end, on the support plate, and pivotally attached, at its other end, to the slidable ram is springurged in the direction for causing movement of the ram toward the path of travel of the conveyed articles. A solenoid is mounted on the support plate and has its armature connected to the pivoted arm so that, when the solenoid is energized, it is operative to swing the pivoted arm in the direction for withdrawing the markingwheel the path of travel of the con- In order to control the operation of the solenoid, the apparatus embodying this invention includes two switches interposed in an electric circuit for enerand connected in series with each other and in series with the solenoid so that the latter is energized only when both switches are simultaneously closed. Switch actuating members are associated with the two switches and normally project into the path of travel of the successive conveyed articles, the switch actuating members being arranged so that when they are engaged by the successive articles and pushed out of the path of travel of the latter, the related switches are closed. The switch actuating members, and the associated switches, are mounted for adjustment along the path of travel of the conveyed articles thereby to permit variation of the position of each of the successive articles, in relation to the markingapparatus, when the switch actuating members are engaged by the article to be marked, so that the apparatus may be adapted for applying markings to different locations along the side and trailing end surfaces of the articles.

' In accordance with another, and preferred, embodiment of the invention, the connection between the actuating solenoid and the pivoted arm includes an extensible spring for transmitting the movement of the solenoid armature, in the direction for withdrawing the marking wheel on-the slidable ram out of the path of travel of the conveyed articles, to the pivoted arm, so that the inertia of the pivoted arm, ram and marking wheel will not slow the movement of the armature and cause overheating of the solenoid, the solenoid, when energized, being effective merely to stretch or increase the tension in the connecting spring which is in turn produces the desired swinging of the pivoted arm.

Further, in the preferred embodiment, the slidable ram carrying the marking wheel, and which is also capahas the latter releasably mounted so that, if a conveyed article does accidentally engage the marking wheel before the latter has been withdrawn from the conveyor path, the support axle is released for permitting bodily movement of the ram for moving the marking wheel out of the conveyor path to prevent any damage to the apparatus by reason of such accidental engagement, and a third normally closed switch, in series with the two previously mentioned solenoid control switches, and with the motor driving the conveyor, is opened in response to such bodily movement of the ram by release of its axle and thereby interrupts the supply of current to the apparatus for halting the latter until the cause of such accidental engagement can be determined and remedied.

In order to ensure that the invention will be clearly and fully understood, illustrative embodiments thereof are hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

Fig. l is a top plan view of a marking apparatus embodying the present invention and showing the condition of the apparatus just prior to the commencement of a marking cycle;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, horizontal section through a damping assembly included in the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. l, and showing the details of construction of a bearing arrangement included in the apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, top plan view, partly broken away and in axial section, of the bearing arrangement of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic top plan view similar to Fig. 1, but on a reduced scale and showing the apparatus shortly after the commencement of a marking cycle;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to that of Fig. 5, but showing the apparatus at the completion of the marking cycle;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional view, on a radial plane, of a marking wheel that is employed in the marking apparatus embodying this invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 88 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a plan view similar to Fig. l, but showins' another preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view of a portion of the structure in the apparatus of Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 1111 of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view, partly broken away and in section, of another portion of the structure in the apparatus of Fig. 9.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to Figs. 1 and 8 thereof, it will be seen that marking apparatus embodying the present invention and there generally identified by the reference numeral 19 may include. standards or vertical posts 12 suitably supported adjacent: one side of a conveyor 14, represented by broken lines on Fig. l and adapted to carry a succession of articles A, for example, boxes, cartons and the like, in longitudinally spaced apart relationship past the apparatus 10.

A horizontal support plate 16 is mounted on the posts 12 in a manner to permit adjustment of the level or vertical position of the support plate. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, the support plate 16 may be formed with an opening for each of the posts 12, and an open ended bushing 18 extends through each opening and has a. radial flange 20 at its lower end secured, as by' machine screws 22, to the lower surface of plate 16. Each bushing 13 is slidable over the related post 12 and has a set screw 24 extending radially therethrough to bear against the post and hold the bushing 18, and hence the plate 16 in adjusted position along the post.

The marking apparatus 10 further includes an elongated ram 26 which is slidably mounted in a bearing assembly supported by the plate 16 and generally identified by the reference numeral 28. As seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the bearing assembly 28 includes upper and lower plate members 30 and 32, respectively, held in parallel, spaced apart relationship by hollow spacers 34 having bolts 36 therein which pass through the upper plate member 30 and are threaded into suitable tapped openings in the lower plate member 32. Machine screws 38 extend through the lower plate member 32 into tapped openings in the support plate 16 for securing the assembly 28 on the latter.

An elongated bearing block between the plate members 30 and 32 and is swingable relative to the latter about a vertical axis extending through the end portion of the block 40 closest to the path of the articles on the conveyor 14. In the illustrated emobdiment of the invention, the swinging axis of the block 40 is defined by vertically aligned pivot pins 42 which are frictionally held in bores 44 of the block 40 and rotatable in bushings 46 in the upper and lower plate members 30 and 32.

The block 40 has a longitudinal bore 48 extending therethrough and receiving elongated outer race members 50 which are held in place by end retaining rings 52. The ram 26 extends loosely through the rings 52 and outer race members 50, and ball bearings 54 are disposed between the latter and the outer surface of the ram so that the ram will be freely slidable, in the direction of its longitudinal axis, with respect to the block 46 and can swing with the latter about the vertical axis defined by the pins 42.

A forked member 56 is mounted on the end of the ram 26 extending toward the conveyor 14 and carries a fixed vertical axle 58 on which a marking wheel, generally identified by the reference numeral 60, is rotatably mounted. As seen in Fig. 7, the marking wheel 60 includes a cylindrical body 62 having a central axial bore rotatably receiving the axle 58 and. peripheral bearer rims 64 spaced axially apart and adapted to frictionally contact the surface of an article moving past the apparatus during the marking of that surface so that the rotation of the marking wheel 66 is derived from the movement of the conveyed article being marked. Preferably, the marking wheel 60 includes a repositioning arrangement for establishing the latter in a particular rotational position upon the completion of each marking cycle and, in the illustrated embodiment of the invention, this re positioning arrangement is made-up of a latch member 66 accommodated in a radially extending recess 68 within the body and extendable radially inward from the recess 68 into the bore receiving the axle 58 for engagement in a notch 70 formed in the latter. A spring 72 is arranged in the recess 68 and bears radially inward against the latch member 66 to urge the latter into the notch 70v when the marking wheel is in the. rotational position, with respect to the axle 58, where the latch member registers with the notch 70. An actuating member 74 is radially slidable in a suitable bore in the body 62 at the side of axle 58 opposed to the latch member 66 and is connected to the latter by a part 76. The actuating member 74 is longitudinally dimensioned so that its free end projects radially beyond the peripheral bearer rims 64 of the wheel 60, when the latch member 66 is engaged in notch 70 of the axle 58, as shown in Fig. 7. Thus, when the member 74 is radially depressed, for example, by contact with the surface of an article to be marked, so that the end of the actuating member is urged within. the radial confines of the bearer rims, the latch member 66 is released radially from the notch 70 and frees the body 62 for rotation. on the shaft 58. As soon as the body 62 rotates to a position where the. latch, member 66 no longer registers with the notch 70, the actuating member 74 will remain in its depressed condition by reason of the engagement of the latch member with the surface of the axle 58. When the body 62 completes one 40 is movably disposed full revolution about the axle 58 and returns to the position of Fig. 7, the latch member 66 will again register with the notch 70 and be urged into the latter by spring 72, provided that the actuating member 74 is then free to project outwardly beyond the periphery of the wheel. Further, the marking wheel 60 has rollers 76 rotatably mounted on a shaft 78 extending parallel to the axis of rotation and disposed so that the rollers 76 project slightly beyond the peripheries of the bearer rims 64. The rollers 76 are positioned in relation to the actuating member 74 so that the rollers engage a surface of a marked article if the marking wheel is still being moved across that surface after the body 62 has returned to the rotational position of Fig. 7, whereby the rollers 76 reduce the friction between the rotationally locked marking wheel and the surface of the'article across which it is moving.

Referring again to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the apparatus includes an inking roller 80 rotatably mounted on a suitable bracket carried by the forked member 56 with its axis of rotation parallel to that of the marking wheel 60 so that the roller 80 will apply ink to the surface of a marking element 82 (Fig. 7), for example, a rubber logotype, secured to the surface of body 62 between the bearer rims 64.

As seen in Fig. l, the ram 26 is supported in the bearing assembly 28 so that the longitudinal axis of the ram is inclined toward the straight path followed by the articles A on the conveyor 14 in the direction of movement of the articles, as indicated by the arrows 84, with the longitudinal axis of ram 26 and the conveyor path enclosing an acute angle a which, in the illustrated embodiment, is approximately 60 degrees and, in any case, is preferably at least 45 degrees.

In order to effect movement of the ram 26 in the direction of its longitudinal axis, the end of the ram remote from the marking wheel 60 is pivotally connected, as by a pin 86, to the free end of an arm 88 which extends radially from a vertical axle 90 supported by the plate 16. The arm 88 is sufiiciently long so that the curvature of the path followed by the pin 86 during swinging of the arm between the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 6, respectively, is relatively flat, and the angular displacement of the ram 26 about the axis defined by the pins 42 is correspondingly small.

The arm 88 is yieldably urged in the clockwise direction, as viewed on Figs. 1, 5 and 6, for example, a curved leaf or flat spring 92 may be anchored, at one end, to the plate 16, as at 94, and connected, at its other end, to the arm 88, as at 96.

Swinging of the arm 88 in the counter-clockwise direction, as viewed on Figs. 1, 5 and 6, in opposition to the spring 92, is effected by a solenoid 98 mounted on the plate 16 and having a head 100 on its armature which is pivotally connected, by a link 102, to the arm 88 at a location on the latter adjacent to the swingably supported end of the arm, so that a relatively short operating stroke of the solenoid armature can produce a relatively long stroke on the ram 26. The coil of the solenoid 98 is arranged so that, when the coil is energized, the solenoid armature is retracted and, through the link 102, exerts a pull on the arm 88 sufiicient to overcome the action of spring 92 and to swing the arm in the counter-clockwise direction for moving the ram 26 substantially rectilinearly in the direction Withdrawing marking wheel 60 from the 'path of the articles on conveyor 14. However, when the coil of solenoid 98 is deenergized, the spring 92 tends to swing the arm 88 in the clockwise direction for projecting the marking wheel across the path of the conveyed articles and, as the arm 88 swings in the clockwise direction, the armature of solenoid 98 is progressively withdrawn or extended, as shown in Fig. 6.

In order to control the energization of the solenoid 98, the marking apparatus 10 includes an electrical circuit, shown on Fig. 1, having terminals 104 and 106 for connection to a source of electric currentand which are connected tothe coil, or coils, of the solenoid 98fwith two microswitches 108 and 110 being interposed, in series, between the solenoid coil, or coils, and one of the terminals. For example, in theillustrated electrical circuit, a conductor 112 extends from terminal 104 to one terminal of the coil, or coils, of solenoid 98, while the other terminal of the coil, or coils, of the solenoid is connected by a conductor 114 to the micro-switch 110 which is, in turn, connected by a conductor 116 to the micro-switch 108, and the latter is connected to the terminal 106 by a conductor 118. Thus, the circuit for energizing the solenoid 98 is completed only when both micro-switches 108 and 110 are simultaneously closed. The microswitches 108 and 110 are of the type that are normally open, and the plungers thereof are associated with actuating fingers 120 and 122, respectively, which are pivoted on the related switch casings and urged by the associated plungers into the path of the conveyed articles so that the latter, as they pass the locations of the micro-switches, serve to rock the fingers 120 and 122 out of the path of the conveyed articles and to thereby cause such fingers to close the related switches. Y

The switches 108 and 110 are mounted adjacent the path of the articles on conveyor 14 at locations in advance of the location of the marking wheel 60 so that, as an article A moves in the direction of the arrows 84 toward the marking wheel, the article will efiect the closing of the switch 108, and then of the switch 110, before coming abreast of the marking wheel. As seen in Figs. 1 and 8, the micro-switches 108 and 110 are mounted on bases 124 and 126, respectively, which are, in turn, mounted adjustably on a switch support 128 extending adjustably from the support plate 16. Each of the bases 124 and 126 has slots 130 therein extending parallel to the path of the articles and receiving screws 132 which are tapped into the switch support 128. Thus, the bases 124 and 126, and the related micro-switches, are individually adjustable along the path of travel of the conveyed articles. The attachment of the switch support 128 to the support plate 16 is effected by machine screws 134 extending through slots 136 in the support 128 into blocks 138 (Fig. 8) suitably secured upon the plate 16, and the slots 136 extend transversely with respect to the path of travel of the conveyed articles so that the support 128 can be adjusted laterally, toward and away from the conveyor 14, to more or less project the actuating fingers 120 and 122 into the path of the conveyed articles. Further, a guide member 140 extends from the longitudinal edge portion of switch support 128 facing toward the conveyor and is secured to the support 128 by machine screws 142 (Fig. 8) extending through lateral slots 144 into tapped holes in the support 128 so that the guide member 140 can be laterally adjusted with respect to the switch support. The guide member 140 is adapted to be slidably engaged by the successive articles as the latter pass and actuate the fingers 120 and 122 associated with the microswitches.

Angular movement of the arm 88 in the clockwise direction for displacing the marking wheel toward, and then into, the path of travel of the conveyed articles, is adjustably limited by a stop assembly 146 (Fig. 1) which includes an angle member 148 secured on the plate 16, and a stop screw 150 extending threadably through the upstanding leg of the angle member and engageable by the arm 88 at the end of its angular stroke in the clock- Wise direction.

The marking apparatus 10 further includes a damping assembly 152 (Figs. 1 and 2) operative during the final increment of the angular stroke of arm 88 in the counterclockwise direction by the solenoid 98 to cushion or absorb the impact or shock resulting from the sudden deceleration of the arm 88 at the end of such angular movement. The damping assembly 152 includes a housing 154 secured by bolts 156 to the support plate 16 and having a longitudinal bore 158 opening at theend of the housing facing toward the arm 88. A plunger 160 is reciprocable in the bore 158 and is urged in the direction out of the bore by a helical compression spring 162. At its outer end, the plunger 160 carries a non-metallic bumper 164 for contact with the arm 88, and one side of'the plunger is flattened, adjacent its outer end, to define a shoulder 166 engageable by a stop member 168 which thereby limits the extension of the plunger 160 from the housing 154 under the influence of the spring 162. The entrance of air into, and the discharge of air from, the borev 158 in response to movements of the plunger 160 occur through passages 170 and 172, respectively, which are closed by ball check valves 174 and 176. The ball check valves 174 and 176 are urged to their seated positions by springs 178 and 180, respectively, and adjustable screws 182 and 184 abut against the springs 178 and 180, respectively, to permit variations in the pressures at which the related ball check valves open.

It is' apparent that the plunger 169 is normally extended from the housing 154 by the spring 162 to the limit of such movement permitted by the stop member 168 so that, as the arm 88 swings counter-clockwise, as viewed in Fig. l, and approaches the end of its swinging movement in that direction, the arm 88 engages the bumper 164- and pushes the plunger 168 into the bore 158 against the resistance of spring 162 and of the air within the bore which escapes through passageway 172 after the pressure in bore 158 rises to the level necessary for opening of the valve 176. Thus, the damping assembly 152 brings the arm 88 to a gentle halt. Rebounding of the plunger 160 under the influence of the compressed spring 162 is prevented by the control with valve 174 of the air returning through passage 170 to the bore 158 so that the plunger 160 is thereby gradually returned to its extended position.

The above described marking apparatus operates as follows:

Assuming that at least one of the switches 15.33 and 110 is in' its open position and no article is disposed on the conveyor 14 opposite the marking wheel 69, the solenoid 98 is deenergized and the spring 92 is free to swing arm 88 in the clockwise direction against the stop 146 and thereby to project the marking wheel into the path of the articles on conveyor 14, as in Fig. 6. As an article approaches the marking apparatus, the article first closes switch 168 and then closes switch 110 while holding switch 108 in its closed position, so that solenoid 98 is then energized to swing arm 88 counter-clockwise, whereby the marking Wheel 60 is with-drawn from the path of the conveyed articles and disposed at a location spaced from the side surface of the article to be marked, as in Fig. 1. The axle 58 carrying the marking wheel 60' is so disposed with respect to the forked member 56 that, when the wheel 60 is rotationally locked by engagement ofitslatch member 66 in the notch 70 of the axle, the actuating member 74- projecting from the marking wheel extends generally normal to the side surface of the-article'to be marked and in the direction toward the article, as shown in Fig. 1. As movement of the conveyed article in the direction of the arrows 84 continues beyond the position of Fig. l, the rear corner of the article moves out of engagement with the finger 120 associated with switch 108 and permits the latter to open, so that the solenoid 98 is deenergized and spring 92 then effects movement of the marking wheel 6-0 against the adjacent side surface of the article. During such movement of the marking wheel against the side surface of the-article, the actuating member '74 is depressed into the marking wheel and releases the latch member 66, thereby freeing the marking wheel for rotation in rolling and marking contact with the side surface of the article.

A's the movement of the article being marked continues inthedirection of the arrows 34, the marking wheel 60 reaches the corner of the article between the marked side surface -andthe' trailing end surface, and, by reason of the action of spring 92 upon arm 88, the marking wheel rolls around that corner and then rolls laterally across the trailing end surface of the article in the direction away from the support plate 16. The angle a (Fig. 1) enclosed between the axis of ram 26 and the direction of movement of the conveyed articles determines the relation between the speed of movement of the articles and the speed of movement of the ram 26 during marking of the trailing end surface of an article, and hence, the relation between the rotational speed of the marking wheel during marking of the side surface of the article and the rotational speed of the marking Wheel during marking of the trailing end surface. If the angle a is 45 degrees, it is apparent that the rotational speed of the marking wheel 60 would be the same during marking of the trailing end surface as during the marking of the side surface, and this would be the most desirable situation so far as the mere marking of the articles is concerned. However, when it is necessary to mark the side and trailing end surfaces of articles that are relatively close together on the conveyor, the angle a may be increased, for example, to 60 degrees, as in the illustrated embodiment, so that the marking wheel, following completion of the marking on the trailing end surface, can be withdrawn from the relatively small space between the marked article and the article next in line on the conveyor without striking against the article next in line;

When the marking wheel 60 returns to the rotational position where latch member 66 again registers with notch of the fixed axle, the marking wheel is locked against further rotation, and the roller 76 contact the trailing end surface of the marked article during. the remainder of the movement of the marking wheel to the position of Fig. 6 where arm 88 engages the stop assembly 146. Upon completion of the marking of an article, the article next in line on the conveyor 14 will normally have closed the switch 108 and be about to close the switch 110, as in Fig. 6, for again causing the energization of solenoid 98 thereby to effect the withdrawal of the marking wheel to the position of Fig. 1 without encountering contact between the marking wheel and the front surface of the article to be marked. However, if the spacing between an article being marked and the article next in line is less than the normal distance by reason of some defect or error in the operation of the conveyor or in the placing of the articles thereon, as soon as the article next in line causes simultaneous closing of the switches 188 and 118 the marking wheel is withdrawn to its inoperative position (Fig. l), even'if the marking of the preceding article has not been completed, so that such improper spacing of the articles on the conveyor can only result in incomplete marking of an article and, in no case, can cause jamming of the marking wheel between the too closely spaced apart articles.

It is apparent that, by adjusting the position of switch 118 in the direction parallel to the conveyor path, the apparatus 10 may be accommodated to various spacings between the successive articles on the conveyor, while adjusting the position of the switch 108 in the same direction to either increase or decrease the distance from the axis of the marking wheel 60, in the position of Fig. l, to the end of finger 128, measured parallel to the conveyor path, serves to vary the position on the side surface of the article where the marking thereof is started.

Since the force for withdrawing the marking wheel 6% from the position of Fig. 6 to the position of Pig. 1 is exerted by the solenoid 83 under the control of the article actuated switches 19S and 110 and is not dependent upon the force exerted by the article against the switch fingers 126 and 122, it is apparent that the solenoid 98 can be designed to provide a large actuating force and correspondingly rapid withdrawal of the marking wheel to its inoperative position (Fig; 1), even though the switches'are'actuated by relatively small forces applied by thearticle so as to avoid any'dam'age to the article.

switch support 128a Such rapid withdrawal of the marking wheel to its inoperative position following the marking of an article permits the apparatus 10 to be associated with a conveyor having the articles relatively close together thereon.

Referring now to Fig. 9 of the drawings, it will be seen that marking apparatus constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention and generally identified by the reference numeral 10a is substantially similar to the apparatus 10 described above and difiers from the latter mainly with respect to the connection between the actuating solenoid 98a and the pivoted arm 88a, and with respect to the arrangement for swingably supporting the bearing block 40a, in which the ram 26a is slidable, between the plate members 30a and 32a of the bearing assembly 28a. In view of the similarities of the apparatus 10 and the apparatus 10a, the several parts of the latter are identified by the same reference numerals employed in connection with the corresponding parts of the apparatus 10, but with the letter a appended to such numerals, and the apparatus 10 will be described in detail only with respect to those portions that diifer from the first described embodiment, as mentioned above.

In the apparatus 10a, the link 102a that is pivotally connected at one end to the head 100a on the armature 98a is elongated and bifurcated (Fig. 11) and has longitudinal slots 186 in the bifurcated legs (Figs. 10 and 11) to slidably receive a pin 188 extending through the pivoted arm 88a. A pin 190 extends through the link 102a adjacent the end of the latter connected to the head 100a, and a tension coil spring 192 is anchored, at its opposite ends, to the pins 188 and 190, respectively. Thus, the spring 192 normally urges the pin 188 against the ends of the slots 186 closest to the end of the link connected to the solenoid head 100a, as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11. Further, in the apparatus 10a, tension coil springs 92a replace the torsion or leaf spring 92 of the first described embodiment and are connected, at their opposite ends, to an apertured plate 194 on the and to the ends of the pin 190, respectively. The springs 92a normally tend to withdraw the solenoid armature out of the solenoid coil and, by reason of the engagement of the pin 18% against the ends of slots 186, the springs 92a, as 1n the case of the spring 92, urge the arm 88a to swing in the clockwise direction, as viewed on Fig. 9, so that the ram 26:: slides toward the conveyor 14a and tends to project the marking wheel 60a into the path of the conveyed articles A. However, when the switches 108a and 110a, controlled by the successive conveyed articles, are simultaneously closed to energize the solenoid 98a, the armature of the latter is immediately retracted and, by way of the head 100a, pulls the link 102a so that the distance between the pins 188 and 190 is increased and the tension spring 192 is correspondingly stretched. The stretched spring 192 then causes swinging of the arm 83a about its pivot 90a in the counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, whereby the ram 26a carries the marking wheel 60a out of the path of the conveyed articles.

It will be noted that with the arrangement in Figs. 9, 10 and 11 for connecting the solenoid head 100a to the pivoted arm 88a, the force exerted by the solenoid for actuation of the apparatus is not directly applied to the arm 88a so that the inertia resulting from the mass of the marking wheel 60a, the ram 26a and the arm 88a does not retard the movement of the solenoid armature,

whereby overheating of the solenoid is avoided.

Further, in the preferred embodiment of the invention characterized by the illustrated apparatus 10a, the pivotal mounting for the bearing block 40a slidably carrying the ram 26a is releasable so that, in the event that a conveyed article arrives at the marking station before the marking wheel 60a has been withdrawn from the path of travel of the conveyed articles and thereby accidentally engages behind the marking wheel, such pivotal mounting is released and permits bodily movement of the ram 26a about the axis defined by the pin 86a connecting the ram to arm 88a, whereby the marking wheel is free to be displaced by the article therebehind out of the conveyor path.

Referring particularly to Fig. 12, it will be seen that, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the bearing assembly 28a includes upper and lower plate members 30a and 32a, respectively, held in parallel, spaced apart relation by hollow spacers 34a extending around bolts 36a that pass through the plate members. Machine screws 38a extend through the lower plate member 32a into suitable tapped openings in the support plate .16a for securing the assembly 28a on the latter. The-bearing block 40a, in which the ram 26a is longitudinally slidable, is internally similar to the previously described block 40 and is movably disposed between the plate members 30a and 32a. A swinging axis for the block 40a is defined by vertically aligned pivot pins 42a extending from the bearing block adjacent the end of the latter closest to the conveyor path and near the side of the bearing bl ock facing in the direction of the conveyor movement. The pivot pins 4211 are received in slots 44a extending laterally in the plate members 30a and 32a and opening at the side edges 46a of the latter facing in the direction of the conveyor movement.

The pivot pins 42a, when in their operative positions for marking of the conveyed articles, are disposed against the inner, or closed, ends of the related slots 44a, and the pivot pins 42a are releasably held in their operative positions by detent assemblies carried by the plate members 30a and 32a and generally identified by the reference numeral 196. Each detent assembly 196 includes a detent pin 198 adapted to project into the related slot 44a from a bore 200 in the related plate member. A compression spring 202 in the bore 200 acts, at its opposite ends, against an abutment plate 203 and the detent pin 198 to yieldably urge the latter to its projecting position.

Under normal operating conditions, the detent assemblies 196 maintain the pivot pins 42a in the operative positions of the latter. However, when a conveyed article accidentally engages behind the marking wheel while the latter is still disposed in the path of travel of the conveyed articles, and thereby tends to swing the ram 26a in the counter-clockwise direction about the pin 86a, as viewed in Fig. 9, the pivot pins 42a move along the slots 44a past the detent pins 198, which are depressed, and then out of the slots 44a so that the ram is then free to swing bodily about the pin 86a. Such bodily swinging of the ram 26a moves the marking wheel out of the conveyor path and prevents any damage to the apparatus by reason of the accidental engagement of a conveyed article behind the marking wheel. I

Since the release of the pivot pins 42a from the slots 44a makes the apparatus 10a no longer operative for marking of the conveyed articles, an arrangement is preferably included for halting the operation of the marking apparatus and associated conveyor in response to release of the pivot pins 42a. As shown in Fig. 12, a microswitch 204 is mounted between the plate members 30a and, 32a at the side of the bearing block 40a facing in the direction generally opposed to the conveyor movement. The switch 204 is of the type that is biased to an open condition and includes a plunger 206 that closes the switch contacts when the plunger is depressed. A resilient, cantilevered strip 208 is mounted on the casing of switch 204 and is normally engaged by the bearing block 40a, as shown in Fig. 12, so that the strip 208 depresses the plunger 206 for normally maintaining the switch 204 in its closed condition. The switch 204 is connected in series with the motor (not shown) driving the conveyor 14a and also in series with the switches 108a and 110a so that the conveyorcan move and the energizing circuit for the solenoid 98a can be completed only so long as the switch 204 is closed. However, when the ram 26a swings bodily about the pin 86a in the counterclockwise direction from its operative position in response to accidental engagement of an article behind the marking wheel, the bearing block 48a moves away from the resilient strip 298 which releases the plunger 206 for extension of the latter and corresponding opening of the contacts of switch 204. Thus, the drive of the conveyor is interrupted, and the solenoid 98a is deenergized even if an article comes to rest in a position where it simultaneously closes both switches 168a and 110a. When the cause of the accidental engagement of an article behind the marking wheel has been determined and remedied, the bearing block 40:: is manually restored to its normal position between the plate members 3% and 32a. Bearing block 40a may be moved manually from between the plate members 36a and 32a in order to" displace the marking wheel from the vicinity of the conveyor path so that the marking wheel and associated structures become more accessible for cleaning, replacement, repairs and adjustment.

Since the arrangement provided in the apparatus ltta for transmitting the force exerted by the solenoid 93a to the arm 88a includes the extensible tension spring 192, so that stretching of the latter, and the corresponding increase in the tension exerted thereby, effects the actual swinging of the arm 88a in the direction for with drawing the marking wheel from the path of the articles, it is apparent that, as the arm 33a swings in the direction urged by the spring 192, the force exerted by the latter is gradually reduced, whereby there is very slight impact when the marking wheel reaches its inoperative position, as defined by the engagement of the fork 56a with a stop 210 depending from the end edge of the plate member facing toward the conveyor path (Fig. 12). Accordingly, the shock absorbing or damping assembly 152 of the apparatus can be eliminated in the apparatus 104 constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention.

Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein and shown in the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to such embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be etfected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a rotatable marking element, means supporting said element for bodily movement of the latter between an inoperative position at one side of the path of travel of the conveyed articles, where the marking element is spaced laterally from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, and an extended position where the marking element is interposed in the path of travel of the conveyed articles, means yieldably urging said marking element to said extended position of the latter, electro-magnetic actuated means operative to move said marking element to said inoperative position of the latter, an electric circuit for energizing said electro-magnetic actuated means so that the latter is operative only when said circuit is completed, first and second normally open switches interposed in said circuit in series with each other and with said electro-magnetic actuated means, so that said circuit is completed only when said switches are simultaneously closed, first and second actuating members for said first and second switches, respectively, disposed at successive locations adjacent the path of the conveyed articles in advance of a marking station abreast of said marking element and individually adjustable along said path to be spaced apart by a distance less than the length of an article to be marked, said actuatitig members being engageable sim'ultaneously by an article approaching said marking station to close both of said switches and thereby cause operation of said elcctro-magnetic actuated means for moving said marking element from the path of the approaching article to said inoperative position until the article moves out of engagement with said first actuating member which then effects opening of the related switch, whereupon said electro-magnetic actuated means is rendered inoperative and said yieldable means is free to urge the marking element into rolling and marking contact with the ad'- jacent side surface of the article at said marking station and then with the trailing end surface of the article, as the latter moves away from the marking station.

2. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a rotatable marking element, means supporting said element for bodily movement of the latter along a substantially rectilinear path which is inclined toward the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the movement of the articles, yieldable means urging said element along said inclined path to an extended position where the marking element is interposed in the path of travel of the conveyed articles, electro-magnetic actuated means operative to move said marking element along said inclined path from said extended position to an inoperative position where the marking element is disposed at one side of the path of travel of the conveyed articles and laterally spaced from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, an electric circuit for energizing said electro-magnetic actuated means so that the latter is operative only when said circuit is completed, first and second normally open switches interposed in said circuit in series with each other and with said electromagnetic actuated means, so that said circuit is completed only when said switches are simultaneously closed, and first and second actuating members for said first and second switches, respectively, disposed at successive locations adjacent the path of the conveyed articles in advance of a marking station abreast of said marking element and individually adjustable along said path so as to be spaced apart by a distance less than the length of an article to be marked, said actuating members being engageable simultaneously by an article approaching said marking station to close both of said switches and thereby cause operation of said electromagnetic actuated means for moving said marking element from the path of the approaching article to said inoperative position until the article moves out of engagement with said first actuating member which then efiects opening of the related switch, whereupon said electromagnetic actuated means is rendered inoperative and said yieldable means is free to urge the marking element into rolling and marking contact with the adjacent side surface of the article at said marking station and then with the trailing end surface of the article, as the latter moves away from the marking station.

3. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus, said apparatus comprising a rotatable marking element, means supporting said element for bodily movement of the latter along a substantially rectilinear path which is inclined toward the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the movement of the articles, yieldable means urging said element along said inclined path to an extended position where the marking element is interposed in the path of travel of the conveyed articles, motor means operative to move said marking element along said inclined path from said extended position to an inoperative position where the marking element is disposed at one side of the path of travel of the conveyed articles and laterally spaced from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, and means controlling the o er'a'tion of said motor means including first and second I the trailing end surface of the article.

article engageable members and rendering said motor means operative only when said article engageable members are simultaneously engaged, said first and second article engageable members being disposed at successive spaced apart locations adjacent the path of travel of the conveyed articles and in advance of a marking station abreast of said marking element, the distance between said first and second article engageable members being adjustable so as to be less than the length of an article to be marked so that an article approaching said marking station simultaneously engages said first and second members to cause movement of said marking element out of the path of the approaching article to said inoperative position and, as the article reaches said marking station, the article disengages said first article engageable member to permit said yieldable means to urge the marking element into rolling and marking contact with the adjacent side surface of the passing article and then with the trailing end surface of the article, as the latter moves away from the marking station.

4. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a support adjacent one side of the path of the conveyed articles, a bearing on said support and swingable about a vertical axis, a ram slidable longitudinally through said bearing for swinging with the latter in a horizontal plane about said vertical axis, an arm pivoted, at one end, on said support and connected, at its other end, to an end of said ram, said said arm being dimensioned and pivotally located on the support so that, during the swinging of said arm between predetermined limits, said ram is inclined toward the path of travel in the direction of movement of the conveyed articles and moves substantially rectilinearly in the direction of its own longitudinal axis, a marking wheel mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on the end of said ram extending toward the path of travel of the articles, the predetermined limits of swinging movement of said arm being arranged so that with said arm at the limit of its movement in one direction, said wheel is disposed in an inoperative position at said one side of the path of the conveyed articles and spaced laterally from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, and, with said arm at the limit of its movement in the other direction, said ram is extended from said support and interposes said wheel in the path of the conveyed articles, yieldable means urging said arm to swing in said other direction, electro-magnetic actuated means operative to swing said arm in said one direction, and article actuated means controlling the operation of said elcctro-magnetic actuated means so that, as a conveyed article approaches a marking station abreast of said wheel 1n the inoperative position of the latter, said wheel is withdrawn from the path of the approaching article and moved to said inoperative position and, thereafter, when the article reaches said marking position, said electromagnetic actuated means is rendered inoperative to permit said yieldable means to urge the marking wheel into rolling and marking contact with the article, first along said adjacent side surface of the article and then across 5. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a support adjacent one side of the path of the conveyed articles, a bearing on said support and swingable about a vertical axis, a ram slidable longitudinally through said bearing for swinging with the latter in a horizontal plane about said vertical axis, an arm pivoted, at one end, on said support and connected, at

its other end, to an end of said ram, said arm being dimensioned and pivotally located on the support so that,

during the swinging of said arm between predetermined limits, said ram is inclined toward the path of travel in damping means engageable .supplying air to said bore and 14 the direction of movement of the conveyed articles and moves substantially rectilinearly in the direction of its own longitudinal axis, a marking wheel mounted for rotation about a vertical axis on the end of said ram extending toward the path of travel of the articles, the predetermined limits of swinging movement of said arm being arranged so that, with said arm at the limit of its movement in one direction, said wheel is disposed in an inoperative position at said one side of the path of the conveyed articles and spaced laterally from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, and, with said arm at the limit of its movement in the other direction, said ram is extended from said support and interposes said wheel in the path of the conveyed articles, yieldable means urging said arm to swing in said other direction, electromagnetic actuated means operative to swing said arm in said one direction, article actuated means controlling the operation of said electro-magnetic means so that, as a conveyed article approaches a marking station abreast of said wheel in the inoperative position of the latter, said wheel is withdrawn from the path of the approaching article and moved to said inoperative position and, thereafter, when the article reaches said marking position, said electro-magnetic actuated means is rendered inoperative to permit said yieldable means to urge the marking wheel into rolling and marking contact with the article, first along said adjacent side surface of the article and then across the trailing end surface of the article, and by said arm during the final increment of the movement thereof in said one direction by said electro-magnetic means and operative'to cushion and absorb the shock produced when said arm reaches plunger to a position extending from said bore for engagementby said arm, passages opening into said bore for for exhausting air from said bore, respectively, check valves in said passages, and means controlling the pressures at which said check valves open so that the damping effect of said plunger in the bore can be varied.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4; wherein said electromagnetic actuated means includes a solenoid mounted on said support, and a link pivotally connected to the armature of said solenoid and to said arm, at a location on the latter adjacent to the swinging axis of the arm, so that a relatively short operating stroke of said armature produces a relatively long stroke of said ram.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4; wherein said article actuated means controlling the operation of said electromagnetic actuated means includes an electric circuit for energizing the latter having first and second normally open switches interposed therein in series with each other and with said electro-magnetic means so that said circuit is completed and said electro-magnetic actuated means is operated only when both of said switches are simultaneously closed, and first and second actuating members for said first and second switches, respectively, said first and second actuating members being disposed at successive, spaced apart locations along the path of travel of the conveyed articles in advance of said marking station and normally projecting into the path of travel of the articles, said first and second actuating members being individually adjustable along said path so as to be spaced apart by a distance less than the length of an article to be marked so that said actuating members are engageable simultaneously by an article approaching said marking station and then close the related switches and thereby 9. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a rotatable marking element, means supporting said element for bodily movement of the latter between an inoperative position at one side of the path of travel of the conveyed articles, where the marking element is spaced laterally from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, and an extended position where the marking element is interposed in the path of travel of the conveyed articles, means yieldably urging said marking element to said extended position of the latter, electro-magnetic means, spring means connected between said electro-magnetic means and said element supporting means and operative to move said marking element to said inoperative position of the latter, upon e'nergization of said electro-magnetic means, an electric circuit for energizing said electro-magnetic means so that the latter is operative only when said circuit is completed, first and second normally open switches interposed in said circuit in series with each other and with said electro-magnetic means, so that said circuit is completed only when said switches are simultaneously closed, and first and second actuating members for said first and second switches, respectively, disposed at successive locations adjacent the path of the conveyed articles in advance of a marking station abreast of said marking element and spaced apart by a distance less than the length of an article to be marked, said actuating members being engageable simultaneously by an article approaching said marking station to close both of said switches and thereby cause energization of said electro-magnetic means for moving said marking element from the path of the approaching article to said inoperative position until the article moves out of engagement with said first actuating member which then effects opening of the related switch, whereupon said electro-magnetic means is deenergized and said yieldable means is free to urge the marking element into rolling and marking contact with the adjacent side surface of the article at said marking station and then with the trailing end surface of the article, as the latter moves away from the marking station.

10. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a support adjacent one side of the path of the conveyed articles, a bearing, means mounting said bearing in said support for swinging about a vertical axis, a ram slidable longitudinally through said bearing for swinging with the latter in a horizontal plane about said vertical axis, an arm pivoted, at one end, on said support and connected, at its other end, to an end of said ram, said arm being dimensioned and pivotally located on the support so that, during the swinging of said arm between predetermined limits, said ram is inclined toward the path of travel in the direction of movement of the conveyed articles and moves substantially rectilinearly in the direction of its own longitudinal axis, a marking wheel for rotation about a vertical axis on the end of said ram extending toward the path of travel of the articles, the predetermined limits of swinging movement of said arm being arranged so that, with said arm at the limit of its movement in one direction, said wheel is disposed in an inoperative position at said one side of the path of the conveyed articles and spaced laterally from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, and, with said arm at the limit of its movement in the other direction, said ram is extended from said support and interposes said wheel in the path of the conveyed articles, yieldable means urging said arm to swing in said other direction, a solenoid having an armature movable in the plane of swinging of said arm, means connecting said armature to said arm including a tension spring arranged so that, upon energization of said solenoid, the tension of said spring is increased to swing said arm in said one direction, and article actuated means controlling the energization of said solenoid so that as a conveyed article approaches a marking station abreast of said wheel in the inoperative position ofthe latter, said wheel is withdrawn from the path of the approaching article and moved to said inoperative position and, thereafter, when the article reaches said marking position, said solenoid is deenergized to permit said yieldable means to urge the marking wheel into rolling and marking contact with the article, first along said adjacent side surface of the article and then across the trailing end surface of the article.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10; wherein said means mounting said bearing in said support includes pivot pins on said bearing defining said vertical axis, receptacles on said support opening generally in the direction of the movement of the conveyed articles and normally receiving said pivot pins, and yieldable means releasably holding said pivot pins in said receptacles so that an excessive force applied to the marking wheel in the direction of movement of the conveyed articles causes removal of said pivot pins from the receptacles to free the ram for swinging about the connection of the latter to said arm, thereby to prevent damage to the apparatus by reason of said excessive force.

12. Apparatus according to claim ll; further comprising means responsive to movement of said bearing in the direction removing said pivot pins from said rec'eptacles to prevent energization of said solenoid and to halt the operation of the apparatus.

13. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a rotatable marking element, bearing means supporting said element for bodily movement of the latter along a substantially rectilinear path which is inclined toward the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the movement of the articles, means carrying said bearing means and releasable normal to said rectilinear inclined path in the general direction of movement of the conveyed articles so that an excessive force applied in said direction against the marking element frees said bearing means from the carrying means to prevent damage to the apparatus, yieldabl'e means urging said element along said inclined path to an extended position where the marking element is interposed in the path of travel of the conveyed articles, electromagnetic actuated means operative to move said marking element along said inclined path from said extended position to an inoperative position where the marking element is disposed at one side of the path of travel of the conveyed articles and laterally spaced from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, and article actuated means controlling the operation of said electromagnetic actuated means so that, as a conveyed article approaches a marking position abreast of said marking element, the latter is withdrawn from the path of the article to said inoperative position of the element and, thereafter, when the article reaches said marking position, said electromagnetic actuated means is rendered inoperative to permit said yieldable means to urge the marking element into rolling and marking contact with the article.

14. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a rotatable marking element, bearing means supporting said element for bodily movement of the latter along a substantially rectilinear path which is inclined toward the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the movement of the articles, means carrying said bearing means and releasable normal to said rectilinear inclined path in the general direction of movement of the conveyed articles so that an excessive force applied in said direction against the marking element frees said bearing means from the carrying means to prevent damage to the apparatus, yieldable means urgingsaid element along said inclined path to an extended position where the marking element is interposed in the path of travel of the conveyed articles, electro-magnetic actuated means operative to move said marking element along said inclined path from said extended position to an inoperative position where the marking element is disposed at one side of the path of travel of the conveyed articles and laterally spaced from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, an electric circuit for energizing said electromagnetic actuated means so that the latter is operative only when said circuit is completed, normally open switch means interposed in said circuit, switch actuating means disposed in advance of a marking station abreast of said marking element and engageable by an article approaching said station to close said switch means and thereby cause operation of said electro-magnetic means for withdrawing said marking element from the path of the approaching article to said inoperative position of the element, said switch actuating means being released when an article reaches said marking station so that said circuit is broken to interrupt the operation of said electromagnetic means, and thereby permits said yieldable means to urge the marking element into rolling and marking contact with the article, and additional normally closed switch means associated with said bearing means and interposed in said circuit to break the latter in response to freeing of said bearing means from the carrying means of the latter, thereby to halt operation of the apparatus.

15. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a rotatable marking element, means supporting said element for bodily movement of the latter along a substantially rectilinear path which is inclined toward the path of movement of the articles in the direction of the movement of the articles, operating means for normally urging said element along said inclined path to an extended position where the marking element is interposed in the path of travel of the conveyed articles and for moving said marking element along said inclined path from said extended position to an inoperative position where the marking element is disposed at one side of the path of travel of the conveyed articles and laterally spaced from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby, and control means for said operating means including first and second article engageable members disposed at successive spaced apart locations which. are disposed adjacent the path of travel of the conveyed articles in advance of a marking station abreast of said marking element, with the distance between said locations being less than the length of an article to be marked, said control means causing said operating means to move said element to said inoperative position of the latter only when said article engageable members are simultaneously engaged by an article advancing to ward said marking station.

16. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a support adjacent one side of the path of the conveyed articles, a ram having a marking wheel rotatably mounted on one end thereof, means mounting said ram on said support with said ram being inclined toward the path of travel of the conveyed articles in the direction of movement of the conveyed articles and with said ram being movable substantially rectilinearly in the direction of its own longitudinal axis to move said marking wheel between an inoperative position at said one side of the path of the conveyed articles and spaced laterally from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby and an extended position interposed in the path of the conveyed articles, said mounting means for the ram being releasable from said support in the general direction of the movement of the conveyed articles, yieldable means resisting release of said mounting means from said support so that an excessive force applied to the marking wheel in the direction of movement of the conveyed articles causes release of said mounting means from said support to free the ram for swinging in the direction carrying the marking wheel out of the path of the conveyed articles, thereby to prevent damage to the apparatus by reason of said excessive force, and article controlled means actuating said ram and operative to move the latter in the direction disposing said marking wheel in said inoperative position as a conveyed article approaches a marking station abreast of said marking wheel and to urge said ram in the direction for moving said wheel toward said extended position when the article reaches said station, thereby to effect rolling and marking contact of said wheel with the article.

17. Apparatus for applying markings to a side surface and to the trailing end surface of each of a succession of spaced apart articles conveyed past the apparatus; said apparatus comprising a support adjacent one side of the path of the conveyed articles, a ram having a marking wheel rotatably mounted on one end thereof, means mounting said ram on said support with said ram being inclined toward the path of travel of the conveyed articles in the direction of movement of the conveyed articles and with said ram being movable substantially rectilinearly in the direction of its own longitudinal axis to move said marking wheel between an inoperative position at said one side of the path of the conveyed articles and spaced laterally from the adjacent side surface of an article passing thereby and an extended position interposed in the path of the conveyed articles, said mounting means for the ram being releasable from said support in the general direction of the movement of the conveyed articles, yieldable means resisting release of said mounting means from said support so that an excessive force applied to the marking wheel in the direction of movement of the conveyed articles causes release of said mounting means from said support to free the ram for swinging in the direction carrying the marking wheel out of the path of the conveyed articles, thereby to prevent damage to the apparatus by reason of said excessive force, article controlled means actuating said ram and operative to move the latter in the direction disposing said marking wheel in said inoperative position as a conveyed article approaches a marking station abreast of said marking wheel and to urge said ram in the direction for moving said wheel toward said extended position when the article reaches said station, thereby to effect rolling and marking contact of said wheel with the article, and means associated with said mounting means and halting the operation of the apparatus in response to release of said mounting means from said support.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,749,698 Evans Mar. 4, 1930 1,896,556 Phelps Feb. 7, 1933 2,233,360 Serai Feb. 25, 1941 2,559,455 Meyer July 3, 1951 2,567,232 Nordquist Sept. 11, 1951 2,654,312 Phipps Oct. 6, 1953 2,674,939 Brengman Apr. 13, 1954 2,740,351 Anderson Apr. 3, 1956 

